Assam strengthens cybersecurity with new national Cyber Forensics Lab in Dergaon

Guwahati: In response to a surge in cyber fraud, Assam is set to enhance its cybersecurity capabilities by establishing India’s second National Cyber Forensics Lab (NCFL) at the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy in Dergaon. This initiative is part of a broader national strategy to combat cybercrime and improve law enforcement’s ability to tackle online threats.

The new lab will play a critical role in addressing the growing challenge of cybercrime in Assam, which has seen a significant rise in recent years. Strategically located at the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy, the facility will provide advanced forensic support to law enforcement agencies in the state.

The project is the result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Assam Police and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The I4C is responsible for enhancing coordination among law enforcement agencies across India to tackle cybercrime more effectively.

Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai for their support in making the lab a reality. He emphasized that the NCFL will significantly improve Assam’s ability to prevent, investigate, and prosecute cybercrimes, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Safe Cyber Space Campaign,” aimed at creating a more secure digital environment in the country.

Assam’s NCFL will operate in conjunction with the existing lab in Tripura, which has been functional since 2013. Together, these labs will enhance the cybersecurity infrastructure in the northeastern region and serve as training hubs for law enforcement personnel, equipping them with the necessary skills to combat increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

The move comes at a time when cybercrime in India, particularly online frauds, is on the rise. Recent data from I4C highlights the alarming scale of the problem, with thousands of trading and investment scams reported, amounting to significant financial losses. The new NCFL in Assam aims to address these challenges by providing forensic tools and technologies to help trace cyber attacks and bring perpetrators to justice.

With this initiative, Assam is taking a proactive approach to safeguarding its digital landscape, ensuring a safer online environment for its citizens. The collaboration between state and national agencies is expected to significantly bolster the country’s overall cybersecurity efforts.